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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

B. R. GREEN.

BOOK STACK FOR LIBRARIES.

No. 466,033. Patented Dec. 29, 1891.

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(No Model.)

B. R. GREEN.

BOOKSTAGK FOR LIBRARIES.

No. 466,033 29 Patented Dec. 29, 1891.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

B. R. GREEN. BOOK STACK FOR LIBRARIES.

No. 466,033. Patented Dec. 29, 1891.-

f F f Z 9 Q h I fnwn Z0721- .flfl/fl h ag Md fem UNITED STATES .PALENTEQEELCCEJ' BERNARD R. GREEN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BOOK-STACK FOR LIBRARIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,033, dated December 29, 1891.

Application filed August 29, 1891. Serial No. 404,100. (No model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD R. GREEN, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Book-Stacks for Libraries, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in book-stacks for libraries, in which provision is made for superposing a plurality of shelf-ranges one upon another, with floors at each range for gaining ready access to the shelves, and with free circulation of air from the main floor to the top of the stack, the structure being fire proof, shelves interchangeable throughout the staek, and the material in the posts and girders disposed with respect to the strain so as to combine maximum strength with minimum weight.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a view of one of the divisions of a stack in end elevation, partly in section, representing two full superposed shelf-ranges and a portion of a third, the lower shelfrange being shown with the ornamented end piece in position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one of the floors at the juncture of two shelf-ranges, representing one division of the stack complete and a portion of the end of the other corresponding division, the fioor of the main avenue being partially broken away to show the arrangement and construction of the supports. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of a shelf-section, the posts and end supports being shown in horizontal section; and Fig. a is an enlarged partial end view of the partitions between two shelfsections, the one 011 the right being at the end of the shelf-section toward the observer I and the one on the left at the end of the secposite sides of the building or of a compartment of the building. As the two general divisions of the stack are similar in structure and arranged symmetrical with respect to the axis of the main avenue, it will only be necessary to describe in detail the structure and arrangement of one division.

Each general division of the stack com,- prises a plurality of superposed shelf-ranges, and each shelf-range of one or more shelfsections, depending upon the length of range desired. The superposed ranges are represented by B l3 B (see Fig. 1) and the shelfsections are represented by 0 O 0 (See Fig.2.) The number of superposed ranges B B &c., and height of each range may be increased or diminished at pleasure. I have found it feasible, in connection with large libraries, to superpose nine ranges, each seven feet high, one upon another. The supports for the ranges consist of vertical posts D D", placed at the ends of the shelfsections and extending from the main floor to the uppermost range. The posts are made of strong metal, those at the ends (represented by D) being T-shaped in cross-section and the intermediate ones (represented by D) being +-shaped in cross-section. Girders 01 extend from the center of the main avenue E in the horizontal plane between two superposed ranges in opposite directions, connecting the several posts D D in the lines of the longitudinal axes of the shelf-ranges. A main girder 6 extends longitudinally along the center of the main avenue E, and to its opposite sides the girders d are secured. Girders 6, located parallel'with the girder e, are connected with the opposite sides of the posts D D and extend from stack to stack. Girders cl also extend parallel with the girders d from the girder e to the girders e at points central between two adjacent stacks. The girders cl, located in the vertical plane of the center of stress from the weighted shelves, are made heavier than the intermediate girders d.

The end supports for the shelves are represented by F F, (see Fig. 4,) and consist of skeleton metal plates having their outer edges provided with series of notches f and the opposite faces of their inner edges with lugs f. The said supports are connected to'and carried by the columns D, and are provided with lips f for securing them to the girders, and when placed in position serve to support two vertical series of shelves facing in opposite directions and having their rear edges in proximity to each other.

The shelves Gare made of uniform size andstructure, so as to be interchangeable throughout the stack. They are of the gridiron style and may be cast of iron or steel in one piece and have their upper faces finished smoothly and treated to prevent rusting. The bars g of the shelf are preferably of T shape in crosssection, and may be bridged at suitable intervals intermediate of the ends, as shown, for example, at g, to give them the necessary stiffness. It is obvious that other material than iron or steel might be employed in constructing the shelves, and that the bars might be made separately and united by cross-girders. The structure of iron or steel, east in one piece and subsequently treated, is, however, the form whichl at present prefer. The ends of the shelves are each provided with a ing and recess 9 the former to engage one of the notches fin the outer edge of the end support F or F and the latter to engage one of the lugs f, which, with the recess 9 is so shaped as to prevent the shelf from slipping forward unless raised to be disengaged. The lug at one end of the shelf is located its own width farther back from the edge of the shelf than the corresponding lug at the opposite end of Lhe'shelf, so that when the adjacent ends of two shelves, one in each shelfsection of the range, are adjusted in engagement with their common support F or F the lugs g will occupy positions one to the rear of the other in one of the notches f, as shown in Fig. 3. Notchesfare also high enough to permit the lug on one shelf to be lifted over that of the adjacent shelf without disturbing the latter.

The floors H of the passage-ways, which extend at right angles to the main avenue between the two adjacent general divisions of the stack, are spaced from the front of the range, leaving openings h from bottom to top of the stack for the free circulation of air, and also for convenience of communication with persons above or below and for passing small articles through.

A diaphragm t' is placed at the deck-level in each section of the range to prevent fire running up or dust dropping, to add to the lateral stiffness of the structure, and to serve as a stepping-plate for passing through the range.

The ends of the ranges upon opposite sides of the main avenue may be provided with ornamental finishing-slabssuch, for example, as that shown at I, Fig. 1. The skeleton structure of the stack and the provision for the circulation of air around and through it serve to distribute heat evenly throughout the several ranges, prevent any liability of molding or accumulation of dust, and furnish poor lodgment for book pests. The shelves may be removed and adjusted with facility at such distances apart as may be found advantageous, while the books resting thereon are at all times within easy reach of an at tendant on the floor H.

The range-sections, taken in connection with the removable shelves, admit of making a passage through a range wherever desired, or a space which may be used for a closet, case of drawers, writing-table, &c. The structure also admits of lighting the corridors thoroughly from windows (not shown) placed at the opposite ends of the passages I-I.

hat I claim is 1. The book-stack comprising two general divisions arranged upon opposite sides of a main avenue and extending in opposite" directions therefrom, each division being composed of a plurality of superimposed shelfranges, and platforms at the sides of the stack at the points intermediate between two ranges, substantially as set forth.

2. The book-stack comprising a plurality of superimposed shelf-ranges, and platforms at the points intermediate between two successive shelf ranges, the platforms being spaced from the shelf-ranges, forming openings for the circulation of air and passage of sound and small articles, substantially as set forth.

The book-stack comprising a plurality of superimposed shelf-ranges, each consisting of one or more shelf-sections, platforms at the points intermediate between two successive shelf-ranges, and diaphragms in the planes of the platforms and forming partitions between a shelf-section of one range and a shelf-section of a range next above it, substantially as set forth.

4. The book-stack comprising a plurality of superimposed shelf-ranges, each range being subdivided into shelf-sections, and platforms at the planes intermediate between two successive shelf-ranges, the several shelfsections forming at pleasure open spaces through different parts of any range, substantially as set forth.

5. The book-stack comprising a plurality of superimposed shelf-ranges, posts located in the vertical central plane of the stack, girders secured to the posts and extendingin opposite directions therefrom at the intervals between two successive ranges, and decks or platforms secured upon the girders, substantially as set forth.

6. The book-stack comprising a plurality of superimposed shelf-ranges, the shelves of each range extending from the vertical central plane of the range outwardlyin opposite directions, supporting posts and girders, end pieces fitted to the posts and girders and provided with shelf-supporting notches and lugs, and shelves adapted to removablyinterlock with the end pieces, substantially as set forth.

HERNARD R. GREEN. \Vitnesses:

J'. V. WURDEMANN, G. M. THOMAS. 

